Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) said Sunday that Republican congressional candidate Troy Balderson had claimed he didn’t have anything to do with inviting President Donald Trump to campaign on his behalf.
Kasich, one of a handful of nationally-known Republicans frequently critical of Trump, revealed the news on ABC’s “This Week.”
“I asked [Balderson] the other day, ‘Why are you bringing Trump in?’” Kasich recalled. “He said, ‘Well, I don’t have anything to do with it.’”
Host George Stephanopoulos returned to the point later: “Did he really tell you that he was surprised that President Trump was coming, and didn’t want him to come?”
“I asked him, I said, ‘Troy, why— Did you invite Trump in here? The President?’ He said, ‘No, I didn’t,’” Kasich responded. “So I think Donald Trump decides where he wants to go, and I think they think they’re firing up the base.”
Balderson will face off against Democrat Danny O’Connor on Tuesday in a special election to fill the vacant seat of former Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH), who left Congress in January. The race is surprisingly close, given the usual Republican advantage in the district. Both Kasich and Trump have endorsed Balderson.
Trump and Balderson headlined a rally in Ohio Saturday night, and Trump has promoted Balderson mutliple times on his Twitter page.
Troy Balderson of Ohio is running for Congress against a Nancy Pelosi Liberal who is WEAK on Crime & Borders. Troy is the total opposite, and loves our Military, Vets & 2nd Amendment. EARLY VOTING just started with Election Day on August 7th. Troy has my Full & Total Endorsement!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 21, 2018
.@Troy_Balderson of Ohio is running for Congress – so important to the Republican Party. Cast you early vote or vote on August 7th. Troy is strong on crime and borders, loves our Military, our Vets and our Second Amendment. He has my full and total Endorsement!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27, 2018
.@Troy_Balderson of Ohio is running for Congress – so important to the Republican Party. Troy is strong on crime and Borders, loves our Military, our Vets and our Second Amendment. Troy will strongly protect…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2018
Looking forward to being in the Great State of Ohio on Saturday night where I will be campaigning hard for a truly talented future Congressman, @Troy_Balderson. See you all then! Tickets: https://t.co/8UOykaI8uf pic.twitter.com/jHdtAy5fgj
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2018
Will be going to Ohio tonight to campaign for Troy Balderson for the big Congressional Special Election on Tuesday. Early voting is on. Troy is strong on Crime, the Border & loves our Military, Vets & 2nd Amendment. His opponent is a puppet of Nancy Pelosi/high taxes.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2018
Troy Balderson, running for Congress from Ohio, is in a big Election fight with a candidate who just got caught lying about his relationship with Nancy Pelosi, who is weak on Crime, Borders & your 2nd Amendment-and wants to raise your Taxes (by a lot). Vote for Troy on Tuesday!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2018
A great night in Ohio’s 12th Congressional District with Troy Balderson! Troy loves Ohio, and he loves the people of Ohio. He will be fighting for you all the way…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 5, 2018
